How Dan Judy Day, came about.
A surprise for Don Wynn, Class of 1967, from his daughter Teresa.

On November 6th I received and email from Teresa Wynn-Voholdt, the
daughter of Don Wynn, 1967 Kewpie who wrestled at Hickman for Dan
Judy back in the mid 60's. She said that with her dad having a 70th
birthday coming this month she was trying to find something
meaningful to for his birthday, something he would never forget! Since
she had little knowledge of what her dad did while at Hickman she
tracked down a 1967 Cresset (her dad's senior yearbook from Hickman)
and that's how it all began.

After Teresa got the Cresset and discovered her dad had been on the
Kewpie Wrestling Team, she decided to try to find his coach, Dan
Judy and wondered if he was still living. She was unable to find an
obituary and continued to search, finding a phone number for Dan,
she called and Dan answered the phone. She explained who she was and
why she called and Dan confirmed that yes he had been her dad's
coach at Hickman for 1965, 1966 and 1967. After she asked, Dan
explained that he would be 91 years old in March of 2019. Teresa
asked if he would be willing to meet her at Hickman if she drove to
Columbia from her home in Iowa. Dan said absolutely so she drove to
Columbia and they met at Hickman where she met JD Coffman, Hickman
Athletic Director and JD gave Teresa and Dan the grand tour. When in
the wrestling room, Teresa saw trophies and plaques, saw her dad's
name on one and took pictures and they notice the
banner of J'den Cox and discussion began. JD tells of all of
J'dens accomplishments; Hickman, MU and the Olympics and Dan
explains he has never met J'den but sure would like to meet him. OK,
now the wheels are turning in Teresa's little brain.... and thinking
how this could all come together, WOW, what would her dad think!

Teresa couldn't imagine that Dan and J'den had never met so she did
a little more "Googling" and reached out to J'den and within 30
minutes he texts her back and says he would love to meet Coach Judy.
Since J'den lives in Colorado he told Teresa he would be back in
Colubmia Thursday, November 15th to spend time over Thanksgiving
with family. Coach Judy agreed he was available the 15th and so
Teresa thought she could now introduce Dan to J'den and surprise her
dad who hadn't seen his old wrestling coach for over 53 years. JD
also agreed he would be available on the 15th and it would work to meet at Hickman at 1:30 pm on Thursday, November 15th. Now,
I get a call and I agreed to attend and take pictures but explained,
knowing what it means to teachers/coaches to hear from there old
students/athletes from the past, that I would do what I could to get
as many old wrestlers as possible to attend on such short notice of
only a week.

Now I had to get things rolling and fast. I put together a list of
93 Kewpies who wrestled between 1961, the year Dan came to Hickman
and 1967, the year Don Wynn graduated. I contacted all of the 93
wrestlers who I could manage phone or email information for and had
good luck. I left lots of messages and talked to lots of old
Kewpies, which is what I do and have for the last 20 years of
www.kewpie.net. Ultimately a
dozen old wrestlers managed to make it in to see Dan Judy and I
received email messages from another 10 which I printed out with
pictures of each of the old wrestlers and presented to Dan. As it
turned out, we had a November snow east of Columbia of up to 8
inches in some places, but J'den managed to drive in from St Louis
and old wrestlers drove in from Bloomington, IL, Springfield, MO and
St Joseph, MO..... and I heard comments of how they would have
driven further to see Coach Judy.

The school Mascot, Mighty Kewp was in attendance and JD Coffman,
Hickman AD, arranged for Coach Pieper (current wrestling coach) and
the wrestling team to join the party. There is no doubt that a good
time was had by all. I personally extend my sincere appreciation for
all those old Kewpies, who again never let me down, when I call on
them to show up and make me look good by supporting me, whenever I
need them!!!!!!! Also, thanks to Coach Judy, JD, Coach Pieper, the
Hickman Wrestling Team, the Wynn family and "Mighty Kewp"!

Comment from Teresa Wynn-VonHoldt:"I called you, Mr. Kewpie because I
thought you should be involved. You said u would contact some former
Wrestlers from 1961-1967 and you pulled it all together on that end.
JD lined up current wrestlers from Hickman, the current Coach and
Mighty Kewp! So, it was an amazing collaboration!! I got the ball
rolling, but definitely had help pushing!! Lol! I love the fact that
Hickman is a beautiful school full of tradition and pride!! Although
I personally did not attend Hickman, everyone treated me and my
family members like we were Kewpies!!! Thank you for such a
memorable event!! I am sure this is a Birthday my dad will never
forget!!"
Love,
Teresa Wynn-VonHoldt